The Box of Death by Marsden R

Author:Marsden, R.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hurogol Press
Published: 2024-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

My draughty great hall

King Philip was seated in an upholstered chair near to the great canopied bed in the solar. Next to him, on a stool that must have been brought in specially, was Lady Lillian. She was dressed in a lacy white gown with wide, flared sleeves. Her long creamy throat was encircled with a narrow gold band. The King had sent for me, and I wondered why.

I bowed to them both and was kept standing.

‘You have won a great battle,’ Philip said. ‘We congratulate you. You have saved Hambrig and all Mallrovia from the Nahvitch, and you have kept your castle, your estate and your people safe.’

I bowed again.

‘Your heroic deeds and this triumph deserve a reward. We are therefore offering you our daughter’s hand in marriage.’

I took a step back. I had not expected this.

‘Your Majesty.’ I paused. ‘I am honoured, but I am not sure I deserve—’

‘If ever a man deserves it, it is you, lord!’ the King said emphatically. ‘And we have chosen you for many reasons. We believe you should be married, and as soon as possible.’

‘Sire, I do not wish to get married just yet.’ And if I ever do so wish, I said to myself, I will choose my own bride.

The King looked as though he had not understood me. ‘Lord Rory, we command you to marry our daughter. She will give you sons.’

‘I do not wish to marry. I have said it plainly enough, I think.’

‘Too plainly for your own good,’ Philip growled. ‘You do not have this choice, Rory. You will marry. You have not saved the castle only to have it founder through lack of an heir.’

‘I can name an heir.’

‘Is that what you want? The end of your line? What would your father have thought of that?’

I was getting angry. The King had no right. Except that he did. I am the King’s tenant, a mere vassal. Hambrig is my fief, land held on behalf of the King. He could, indeed, instruct me to marry. I looked again at the princess in her white bridal gown. She was very lovely. She would bear my children, she would manage the castle in my absence, and I would become part of the royal family. My fortune would increase a hundredfold with the dowry Lillian would bring, and I would be able to fortify the castle in ways I'd always dreamt of but never been able to afford.

I’d be able to buy more livestock, and even – something I’ve always wanted to do – build a watermill on the banks of the River Eray, which flows fast enough to make such a thing work. My dream watermill could become a reality. Lillian would bring me everything a man could desire: sons and daughters, honour, status and wealth. And I would never again be lonely in bed. What would my father have thought of that, Philip wanted to know? My father would expect me to accept the King’s offer, he would think me a fool to refuse it.

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